The North Hawaii Drug-Free Coalition (NHDFC), a project of Five Mountains Hawaii, recently appointed Ms. Deanna Kackley as Program Coordinator, a position previously shared by Jan Sears and Lori Eldridge, who served NHDFC since 2007. Kackley, originally from Kauai, has lived on Hawaii Island for more than twenty years. She spent the last five years developing the “About Face!” program for the Hawaii National Guard Education and Health Programs. “About Face!” focuses on skills training for youth aged 13 to 17, in a variety of essential life skills for interpersonal relationships, critical thinking, health, fitness, leadership and employability. The innovative program has been successfully established in numerous U.S. states, Washington, DC and Guam.

Kackley’s early career work included Hubble Space Telescope at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Division, and she holds a degree in Engineering from the University of the Pacific and graduate degree from Stanford. A busy mom in addition to her vocation, Kackley has three sons attending or graduates of Kamehameha Schools East Hawaii Campus.

“We are so fortunate to have Deanna join our NHDFC team,” said Five Mountains Executive Director Robin Mullin. “She has a unique professional perspective and strong relationship skills from over twenty years of active community involvement. I am confident she will be an excellent support and liaison for our developing Leadership Team as we move forward into the 2010-11 year.

The Leadership Team, a group of qualified volunteers representing twelve community sectors, works within the North Hawaii neighborhoods of Hamakua, North Kohala, Waimea and Waikoloa to facilitate programs designed to reduce underage drinking, provide alternate activities for youth, share resources and raise public awareness to encourage smart choices about drugs and alcohol.

In the past year, the 24-member Leadership Team actively accomplished important milestones, furthering significant goals and projects. They were able to help Roots Skatepark and Waikoloa Skatepark move forward, support the efforts of Hamakua Youth Center, From Kids For Kids, Hawaii Island Health Alliance, Children’s Research Triangle and other community organizations. In addition, NHDFC distributed resource cards to 14,000 homes, raised awareness with appearances at public events, radio and print advertising and monthly education column, “U Need 2 Know.” They also helped provide professional evaluation training to nonprofit organizations through Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA).

“We are extremely grateful to Jan and Lori, and to the 2009-10 Leadership Team,” said Mullin. “Their talents have helped to move our mission forward, and they will be sorely missed. My hope is that their excellent example will inspire others to step up to help the community and make a difference.

“NHDFC is actively seeking new Leadership Team members in the areas of Youth, Parent, Business, School, Media, and Law Enforcement,” Mullin said. “The commitment level and meeting schedule are manageable for this advisory group that guides the coalition decisions. We advocate for each other’s projects and brainstorm to address emerging issues challenging our shared vision for a drug free community. In the final three years of our grant, we plan to refresh our approach using environmental strategies and have fun together as we help make our Island an even better place to live, work and raise a family.”